15 - RykerI get up and run the pack border again, alone this time and I move slowly, making sure my scent permeates the area fully. This part can be monotonous and boring, but I want this tiny pack to be safe at all times. I then hit the training grounds where only twenty were in attendance, but that is about what I suspected with a pack of this size and part of the reason Edward sought me out in the first place.We begin working. My Beta, Gamma and Delta worked with Edward’s yesterday to put training plans into place. With Edward’s passing we had to make some quick changes to our plans and I am needed here, but I wanted my guys at home for my sister’s arrival with her mate since I couldn’t be there to greet them.I go through a series of tests that we do with all of our warriors. It is to truly assess what they are capable of. Samuel, Drake, and Jacob are paying close attention and taking notes on how I assess warriors in my pack so they can duplicate the process when I’m not
16 - RykerI have lunch provided by Jean at the kitchen island. It’s just her and I. No one else appears to live in the packhouse full time. I was able to talk with her while she cleaned and I discovered she is the exact person to be friends with. She seems to be able to cook anything I could ever want, she’s not afraid to give me a little sass, but is never disrespectful and she knows everything about everyone.“So are you looking for your mate here Alpha? Rumors are already flying around about the handsome, young, mateless alpha we now have.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.“My wolf is always on the lookout for our mate, but I will find her when I am ready, not before, the Moon Goddess won’t allow it.”“So, you’ll be entertaining then, while you wait?” She gives me a disapproving look my own mother would be proud of.“Well, I have to keep the urges at bay somehow.” I shrug and don’t know why I am so defensive or even having this conversation. I can stare down other Alphas backe
17 - KennedyGreta has me learn with her and then pairs me with other female warriors so I can learn to adapt to each person's movement and tells.“Damn, girl, you are good. You’re fast without the added speed a wolf gives, you have clearly put the time in. This is going to be fun. Are you going to join us in the morning?” Greta asks as I dodge another swipe from her arms. I don’t think she’s really trying her hardest, but I am getting a workout so I won’t complain. I would like to see her spar with one of the guys though and just let loose.“What’s in the morning?” I pant, she’s not letting me distract her at all.“The Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and a select team of warriors train together. We work the closest with the Alpha and are usually his detail when he travels. It also gives him a chance to train without prying eyes and drooling females.” She rolls her eyes. “I mean, I see the appeal. He's an alpha and he’s hot, but I don’t understand the girls who would gladly give u
PrologueWhat do you do when you're a human in a wolf pack and your best friend is the next Alpha? You join in that's what. Or you join as much as a human can. Kennedy and Jeremiah have been friends since birth. Their moms were best friends in college and passed on the friendship to their kids. When a tragic accident claims her parents but somehow leaves Kennedy alive and no family members will take on the burden of a teenager with no large inheritance. The one person closest to her mom steps up to claim her.Kennedy and Jeremiah have been inseperable ever since. She has spent the last two years learning pack ways and pack values, but is set on going to college and experiencing human life outside the pack she knows and loves. She’s a human and knows she won’t be a wolf’s mate. She is prepared to leave the pack and live in the human world. She aspires to take over the fitness studio her mom started with Jeremiah's mom. It's a legacy that keeps her parent's memory alive. She has
1 - KennedyThe peeling sound of screeching tires. A loud thunk and an explosion of glass. An invisible force throwing me forward. But no control over anything, nothing to grab as my hands fly through the air. I hit a solid surface and jolted up. I gasp as I blink my eyes open. I’m in my room. I am always in my room. I can still smell burned rubber and gas though. The pungent fumes still burn in my nose. This nightmare will never go away. It’s the same thing every night. It has been for two years. I take another deep breath in, trying to clear the smell from my nose and the sight from the back of my eyelids.My door bursts open and my best friend comes flying at me. At this point I think we should just share a room, with the amount of time he spends with me here. He says nothing, just climbs under the cushiony down blanket and wraps me in his arms, placing my head on his chest. His heartbeat and smell is comforting enough for me to fall back into a dreamless sleep.I have
2 - Kennedy“Hey Kennedy! Looking good girl! I think you get hotter every time I see you.” “Tommy. You saw me yesterday…at training…when I kicked your ass.” I didn’t actually kick his ass. I just didn’t get beat, and gave him a run for his money.“That’s better every time too.” He closes his eyes and smiles and we all just laugh.“You are so stupid!” I say to our future Delta. “Does that line work on any girls?’“I save my best lines for you, until I find my mate of course. Then I won’t need any lines, she will love me no matter what.” He puts his hand on his heart.“Lucky girl.” I pretend to vomit on Jason, who just laughs.“You’re lucky the Moon Goddess is going to force someone to be with you forever. Otherwise, I don’t know if anyone would put up with you that long.” Ben huffs a laugh. I don’t know if I have ever seen our tough-as-nails friend really show any emotion outwardly. He’s actually a really nice guy, when you get to know him, but to the outside world he’s stern
3 - Kennedy“So, the cat’s away. What are the mice going to do?” Tommy taunts.“This mouse has some homework to do and the Beta gave me something to test this weekend so we are playing hide and seek.” They all look up at that? Shocked faces tell me I am going to have to work for my freedom.“Not a good idea, Ken. You heard Jeremiah. He’s going to lose his mind if he finds out we let you off in the woods by yourself.” Ben tries to shut the idea down before we even start.“It was your dad’s idea! Come on Ben! Please?”“Uh, no.” “Jason, help me out. It was an assignment from the Beta, you can ask him yourself.”“I can guarantee that he would not assign you something the same weekend the Alpha, Luna, Gamma, Delta and Jeremiah are all gone. Even he knows what Jeremiah will do if any of us allow that. And he will be too busy running the pack for two days to supervise. Not a chance. I love you Ken, but I like my balls more.” He laughs.“Ugh, Tommy? What do you say?”“If they a
4 - KennedyWalking into the gym and flipping on the lights I, at least, think to warm-up a little first. I crank some angry rock music, grab a speed rope and start jumping to get my blood flowing and my muscles warm, still letting the rampant negative thoughts run wild. Weak, Orphan, Alone, Replaced, Unwanted. Just a repeating loop every time the rope hit the floor a new word would pop up. Once I had a decent sweat going. I moved over to the heavy bag, checked my wrapped hands and started running through our usual hitting warm-up then I just started wailing on the bag adding in kicks and full body movements, until I couldn’t feel my limbs any more. I stopped when I couldn’t push my body any further and leaned my forehead on the bag breathing hard. My weak human self doesn’t have the same natural stamina my werewolf friends do. Another wave of irritation washes over me. Not Enough, my internal voice taunts me.Ben walks up next to me in his own workout gear and hands me a water bo